President Obama said, “Our world is a better place because Cesar Chavez decided to change it.”
In advance of the March 28 release of the major motion picture Cesar Chavez, Participant Media, Pantelion Films and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are launching a drive to recognize the late civil rights and farm labor leader with a National Day of Service. To kick off the campaign, they have created a short video on Chavez’s life and work. It directs visitors to a petition urging President Obama to proclaim an annual National Day of Service so all Americans in each of the 50 states can take part in local service activities on his birthday, March 31. The goal is to garner 100,000 signatures on the petition, which, along with the video, will be accessed live on TakePart.com/Chavez.
Chad Boettcher, Participant Media Executive Vice President of Social Action and Advocacy, said, “Cesar Chavez dedicated his life to serving the needs of others, leading a movement that drew support from millions of Americans. So it seems entirely appropriate—and long overdue—to honor his tremendous legacy with a National Day of Service. We are pleased to be joining Pantelion, the Cesar Chavez Foundation and more than 30 other non-profit organizations for this highly worthwhile initiative.”
Said Paul Presburger, Pantelion Films Chief Executive Officer, “Cesar Chavez was first and foremost a great American. He led by example, upholding the great American traditions set out in the Bill of Rights. Chavez led by example to achieve social justice, making a National Day of Service in his name a perfect way to honor him.”
“My father refused most personal awards and rarely let anyone name anything for him,” observed Paul F. Chavez, Chavez’s middle son and President of the Cesar Chavez Foundation. “So as people learn from and are enriched by his legacy, the best lesson they can take away from his example is to be of service to others. Giving Americans from across the country opportunities to engage in meaningful public service in their own communities is a fitting way to honor Cesar Chavez.”
Diego Luna’s powerful cinematic portrait of the legendary activist stars Michael Pena (End of Watch), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Rosario Dawson (Sin City) and John Malkovich (In The Line of Fire). Chronicling the birth of a mass grass roots American movement, CesarChavez tells the story of the epic 1960s Delano grape strike and boycott as well as how Chavez was torn between his duties as a husband and father, and his dedication to leading farm workers out of poverty and discrimination. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to long-suffering people. Chavez also inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one person’s ability to change the world.
Cesar Chavez is produced by Canana Films’ Diego Luna, Pablo Cruz and Gael Garcia Bernal as well as John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith of Mr. Mudd. Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King of Participant Media served as executive producers.